Youth Vote Could Shake Election

The notoriously unreliable youth vote looks ready to shake the 2008 election, or at the very least New Hampshire, the New York Times reports. Barack Obama drew an astounding 57% of young Iowa caucus-goers, and hopes to pull similar numbers in New Hampshire. His unlikely mirror is John McCain, who at 71 still draws hundreds of young people to his events.

“It is kind of a strange thing since they have different views on many of the issues,” said one 18-year-old deciding between the two. “They come across as genuine. I trust them.” McCain’s straight-talk persona plays well with young people, while fresh-faced, high-minded Obama has a charismatic appeal. “It’s not something he’s doing,” said one professor. “It’s something he’s being.” (More Barack Obama stories.)